Barrister John Bowe /Assurance Bank Nigeria Limited Didn't check out. Internet Ripoff! Lagos Nigeria
My husband got an email saying an Engineer with the same last name died several years ago and left a hefty sum of 12 million US dollars. This would be split with Mr. John Bowe, Barrister who was soliciter and personal attorney to the deceased relative (who wasn't really a relative, but it didn't matter).
The first thing that raised suspicion was it was sent to my email not his. The second was the hushed nature and the fact it was being transmitted via email. I knew it was a scam, but emailed back and said if you can furnish legitimate credentials, death certificates, and such for our attorney to read over and if there is no money on our part involved in the process and no personal inforation such as bank acct. numbers or SS#. etc. then go for it!!
So I was sent back another letter with the name of a contact Emeka Emmanuel Director of Foreign Operations Dept. Lagos, Nigeria and the phone number of 234-1-4751193. I was supposed fill out their form to get the money transferred. But I looked up the banks in Lagos, Nigeria and all the branches were listed, with none having that same number or even close. I looked up the nigerian Bar for attorneys, John Bowe is not listed, nor is he listed in the yellow pages or the white pages.
So........it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure this out, then I came upon this web site and it sounds just too familiar. Thanks.
Patty
Midland, Texas
U.S.A.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
Paul
Anaheim,California,
U.S.A.
Are you kidding me? All scams last as long as there are suckers to pay for them!
#3Consumer Suggestion
Mon, March 07, 2005
Or, until the law enforcement officials put them in jail. Whichever comes first.
People always complain. How come nobody stops these crooks?
Well, it might help if people like you didn't keep feeding them by handing over your money!
Just like stray animals, frauds will keep coming back as long as there is a buck to be made.
But, once the money stops, they have to either find something else or starve.
Hate to see fraud? Don't want to get cheated?
Then, think carefully before you spend. Don't send money to a fraud.
If you do, then you are the main reason that fraud exists! You only have yourself to blame.
Erik
Hastings-on-Hudson,New York,
U.S.A.
The "Nigerian 419 Scam" is still around after 20+ years
#3Consumer Suggestion
Sun, March 06, 2005
It is amazing that this Nigerian scam is still around. Began in the early '80's. Many people were lured in by it - one actually went so far as going to Nigeria, and was murdered there. The following link is a very informative page on these scams at Fraud Watch International (copy both lines and paste into your browser):